Quest Journals Journal of Research in Agriculture and Animal Science Volume 2 ~ Issue 6 (2014) pp: 14-22 ISSN(Online) : 2321-9459 www.questjournals.org Research Paper Effects Of Rural Urban Migration By Youths On Agricultural Labour In Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria. * 1 Mgbakor Miriam N., 2 Uzendu Patrick O. and 1 Usifo Ifechukwude J. 1 Department Of Agricultural Economics And Extension, Enugu State University Of Science And Technology (Esut) Enugu, Nigeria. 2 Department Of Agricultural And Bioresource Engineering, ESUT, Enugu Nigeria. ABSTRACT:- This work was carried out to analyze the effect of rural-urban migration by youths on agricultural labour supply in Aniocha South local government area of Delta State. This was done by identifying the 14 communities that make up the study area, from the six communities, 90 respondents were randomly selected. Data obtained were analyzed using discriptive statistical tools such as frequency distribution table and percentages. The result of the analysis showed that males migrate more than the females in the study area. It was observed that most of the migrants have different levels of educational qualification and area mostly single. It was observed also that the major causes of rural urban migration in the study area are lack of social amenities such as electricity, pipe borne water, lack of communication facilities, lack of good road network and no established agro-allied industry e.t.c. It was also shown that some of the problems of rural-urban migration are loss of agricultural labour force, decline in agricultural output, reduction in population of the rural dweller etc. Therefore recommendations such establishment of industries, provision of social amenities such as electricity and good communication facilities etc, in the study area will help curb this rural-urban migrations. Keywords:- Migration, Rural, Urban, Youths, Labour and Agriculture. I. INTRODUCTION Nigeria was previously an agricultural economy then agricultural sector was contributing about 80% of the total Nigeria export. Then about 75% of Nigeria total population live in the rural areas and obtain their means of livelihood from agriculture. But ironically, this sector has been doing badly in the past few years for example, in 1965 agricultural exports accounted for as much as 76% of the Nigeria foreign earnings, 43% in 1970 while the contribution falls to about 6% in 1976, 3.9% in 1989 and 1.4% in 1992. Many factors have been contributing to this poor performance of agricultural sector but one of the major factors is the rural-urban migration (especially by youths) which involves the shifting of labour force from rural areas to urban centers, in search of employment, better living standard, freedom of religion and others too numerous to mention, one of the factor affecting rural urban pattern of migration is the shortage of agricultural. Labour supply needed for agricultural production (White,2000). Bull (2001) pointed out that the rural-urban pattern of migration takes more young men than women out of the rural areas, resulting in many women becoming the heads of the household and being responsible for agricultural production. White (2000) pointed out that the youths perform the most tedious jobs in the farm. It is also documented that, in most cases, the works of rural youths include, clearing of the farm, road, clearing of the village streets crops and animal processing, livestock raising artisan production etc. With more youth s migration into urban areas to earn a living, more aged people are now left to accomplish the tasks associated with farming, especially the tasks which are reserved for the youths. Therefore, there is no doubt that the added responsibilities will reduce the agricultural production, (Ekwu and Eje, 2004). Among the factors responsible for the decline of agricultural production is the case of rural-urban migration which involves the movement of (especially the youths) from the rural areas to the urban areas in search of better living such as employment opportunities conducive environment etc. since the youths, who constitute the labour force in the rural areas, are actively involved in the rural-urban migration. Therefore there will be a shift of labour force to the urban centers. With the incessant migration of the youth to the urban area, a greater gap in the rural labour force will be created. Aniocha weekly reported that in 2010, 20,000kg of maize 14 Page
grain was sold in Oyoko local market when the number of rural urban migrants is 80. Then in 2011, 12,000k of maize grains was sold in the same local market, when the recorded number of rural-urban migrant is put at 10, from the above, it is therefore obvious that there exist a relationship between rural-urban migration and agricultural production. Thus, the study is designed to study how rural-urban migration have contributed to low agricultural production by answering the following questions what are the causes of rural-urban migration? What are the degree of youths involvement is agricultural production in Aniocha South local government are of Delta state and what are the effects of rural-urban migration on agricultural production?. Objective of the study The broad objective of this study was to determine the effects of rural-urban migration on agricultural production in Aniocha south local government Area of Delta state. The specific objectives were to: 1. Identify the socio-economic characteristics of the people; 2. Ascertain the causes of rural-urban migration in Aniocha South local government Area of Delta state. 3. Find out the involvement of youths in agricultural production in Aniocha south local government of delta state; 4. Find out the various activities engaged by rural youths in the study area. 5. Determine the effects of rural urban migration on agricultural production ; 6. Examine the problems of rural-urban migration; 7. Make necessary recommendations based on the findings. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY Study Area The study area is Aniocha south Local Government Area of Delta State. Nigeria it is made up of fourteen communities which are Adonte, Ashma,Egbudu-Akah, Ejeme Aniogor, Ejeme-Unor, Isheagwu, Ogwashi-Uku, (comprising Olor, Igbodo), Nsukwa, Ubulu-Okiti, Ubulu-Unor, Nkwu-Oba and Umute. Aniocha South Local Government Area lies in the North of Oshimili South local government area, in the East, it is bounded by ika North East local government area. In the West, it is bounded by Oshimili North Local Government Area. In the South it is bounded Aniocha North Local Government Area. Aniocha South Local Government Area has an area of 868km 2 and a population of about 140,723 according to the national population commission (NPC, 2006). It has two prominent season, the wet season which, last from March to October and the dry season which, last from March to October and the dry season which last from November to February. The major occupation of the people is agriculture through traditional method of farming petty trading, finishing etc. (Nwovu, 2000). The key crops in the area are yam, cassava, cocoyam, maize rice, groundnut, Okro, livestock such as poultry, sheep and goats are raised under free range around the home stead (Nnamani, 2000). Sampling Techniques Purposive sampling techniques was used to select six (6) communities out of the fourteen (14) communities that make up the local government area. The purposive selection was based on the rate of migration. The selected communities are Andonte, Ashama, Egbudu-Akah, Ejeme-Anogor, Ejeme-Unor, Nkwu- Oba and Umte. Therefore from the six selected communities 15respondents were randomly chosen to give a total sample size of 90 respondents. Data Collection The data in the study area were collected from both primary and secondary sources. Primary data involves those data that were collected by researcher for the purpose of statistical analysis and this were collected using a well structured questionnaire and interview schedule to elicit the information not captured in the questionnaire. Secondary data were collected from text books, magazines, journals etc. which have been processed or reported. Data Analysis The data collect from the respondents were analyzed using descriptive statistics which includes frequency distribution table, mean, percentage, pie chart and averages to achieve the objective of the study. 15 Page
RESULTS Data generated from the field work is presented, analyzed and interpreted, analyzed and interpreted based on the specific objectives of the study. Analysis was based on the 90 respondent s interview in the area of study. Socio-economic characteristics of respondents Table 1: Distribution of respondents according to Sex Sex Frequency Degree (0 0 ) Male 53 212 Female 37 148 Source : field work, 2013 Table 1 shows that 212 of the respondents are male while 148 are female. Furthermore males are engaged in agricultural production. Table 2: Distribution of respondents according to age Age range Number of Respondents Degree(0 0 ) 0-20 1 4 21-30 15 60 41-50 13 52 51-60 14 56 61-above 3 12 Total 90 36 Table shows that 4 0 of the farmers fall within the age range of between 0-20 years, 60 0 between 21-30 years, 52 0 between 31-40years, 56 0 between 45-50years 176 0 between 51-60 years and 12 0 between 21 and above. This indicates that majority (48.9%) at the age range in Nigeria the rural farmers may have become too old to undertake the activity of farming. The effect was that the little quantity of agricultural proceeds and this will lead to a decline in agricultural product. Table 3: Distribution of Respondents according to marital Status Marital status Number of Respondents Degree( 0 0 ) Single 25 100 Married 40 160 Divorced 10 40 Widows 15 60 16 Page
Source : Field work 2013 Table 3: revealed that 100 0 were single and 160 0 were married, 40 0 were divorced while 60 0 were widows. Table 4: Distribution of respondents according to level of Education. Educational level Number of respondents Degree (0 0 ) No. schooling 38 152 Primary schools 33 132 Secondary schools 14 56 Tertiary schools 5 20 Source : Field work,2013 Table 4 shows that 152 0 represents those who have not attended School, 132 0 of respondents attended primary education, 56 0 attended secondary school education. The result demonstrated that majority of respondents were illiterates, the implication is that many will not be able to cope with the complexity of modern technology of agriculture. Table 5: Distribution of respondents according to household size House field size Number of respondents Degree (0 0 ) None 6 24 1-4 7 28 5-8 30 120 9-12 37 148 13 and above 10 40 Source : Field work, 2013 Table 5 shows that a relatively large house hold was found in the study, about 76 percent of the house hold have a family size that range between 5-12 person s, this supporting the preponderance of large family sizes among the poor in rural areas of Nigeria, though a very large family size may constitutes a social burden. Infact, the intensity of agricultural production has been found to have a direct relation to household. Table 6: Distribution of respondents according to religion affiliation. Religion Number of respondents Degree(o 0 ) Christianity 67 268 African traditional 23 92 17 Page
Source: field works, 2010 Table 6 above indicates that 268 0 were Christian while 92 0 practises African Traditional religion (ATR). Table 7: Distribution of respondents according to farming status Farming Status Number of respondents Degree(0 0 ) Full-time 75 300 Part-time 15 60 Source : field work, 2013 Data in table 7 shows that a greater majority of the respondents, 300 0 are into full time farming, while 60 0 were into part time. The results showed that majority of the respondents were actively engaged in agricultural production. The implication of this is that majority of the respondents depend mainly on agriculture to earn their income. Table 8: Distribution of respondents according to other occupation Other occupation Frequency Degree (0 0 ) Petty trading 45 180 Teaching 5 20 Civil servant 14 56 Tailoring 7 28 Business 4 16 Other occupation 15 60 Source : Field work, 2013 The results of this investigation revealed that the most of the respondents went into petty trading to make extra income to supplement what they earn from their farming activities. Table 9: Distribution of respondents according to causes of youth s migration Causes of Migration Percentage Frequency Lack of social amenities 15 16.70 To secure employment 45 50.00 18 Page
For education purpose 8 8.90 For business 22 24.40 Total 90 100 Source : Field work, 2013. Table 9 shows that 50% of the respondent stated to migrate to secure employment, 24.4% of the respondents stated that youths migrate for business purpose, 8.9% of the respondents stated that youths migrate to get educated and 16.7% of the respondents stated that youths migrate as a result of lack of social amenities. The analysis invited that more youths migrated to secure employment and business purposes. Table 10 Distribution of respondents according to other causes of migration Other causes No of respondents percentage (0 0 ) Problems of the village 30 33.30 To become civilized 25 27.80 Poor rural facilities 20 22.20 Preference for urban life 15 16.70 Total 90 100.00 Source : field work, 2013 Table 10 shows that 33.3% of the respondent stated that youths migrate as a result of village problems, 27.8% of the respondents stated that youths migrate to biome civilized, 22.2% of the respondents stated that youths migrate as a rosily of poor facilities available and 16.7% of the respondent stated that youths migrate in preference to urban life. The further analysis shows that other reason why youths migrate is to get civilized. Table 11: Distribution according to activities engaged by youths Activities Engaged No of respondents Percentage% Clearing 30 33.30 Weeding 3 3.30 Planting 27 30.10 Harvesting 12 13.30 Processing 8 8.90 Others 10 11.10 19 Page
Total 90 100.00 Source: field work, 2013 Table 11 shows that 33% of youths are involved in clearing and planting respectively, while 30.10% of the youths engaged in planting. Table 12: Distribution of respondents according to movement of youths to urban area Movement No of respondents Percentage% High 48 53.30 Moderate 37 41.10 Low 5 5.60 Total 90 100.00 Source: field work, 2013 Table 12 shows that 53.3% of the respondent stated that youths movement to urban area is high, 41.1% of the respondents stated that the movement of youths to urban area is moderate while 5.6% of the respondent stated that the movement of the youths to urban areas is low. The analysis shows that the movement of youths to urban is high and the consequent is low in agricultural productivity. Table 13: Distribution of respondent according to the effect of rural urban migration Effect No of respondents Percentage % Labour availability 25 27.80 Production level 15 16.70 Movement 20 22.20 Others 30 33.30 Total 90 100.00 Source : field work 2013 Table 13 shows that 27.80% of the respondents stated that it will be on labour availability, 16.70% of the respondents stated that the effect will be on production level. Table 14: Distribution of respondents according to the respondents according to the problems of ruralurban migration Problems Frequency Percentage (%) Loss of agricultural 25 27.7 Labour force Decline in agricultural output 25 27.7 Reduction in population 40 44.7 20 Page
Total 90 100.0 Table 14 stated that 27.7% of the respondents suggest that the problem of rural urban migration may be due to loss of agricultural labour force while the same 27.7% of the respondents stated that the problems may be due to decline in agricultural output. Also 44.7% of the respondents stated that the problems of rural-urban migration may be due to reduction in population. V. DISCUSSION In carrying out this research work six objectives were selected, they include to identify the socio economic effect of rural-urban migration in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State, to determine the involvement of youths on agricultural production in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State, to find out various activities engaged by rural youths in the study area, to determine the effects of rural urban migration on labour availability of agricultural production, to determine the cause of rural urban migration, also to examine the problems of rural urban migration and also to make necessary recommendations based on the findings. The views of aged men and women constitute basically the source of information for data that were analyzed or a well structured interview schedule was used and a random sample of 90 respondents was drawn from the six (6) communities in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State. This findings revealed that in terms of causes of youth s migration that 50% of the respondents stated that youths migrate to secure employment, 24.46% of the respondents stated that youths migrate for business purpose 8.9% of the respondent migrate to get educated while 16.7% of the respondents migrate to get educated while 16.7% of the respondents migrate because of lack of social amenities. Also the result also revealed that in terms of the activities engaged by the youths that between 30-33% of the youths are engaged in clearing and planting respectively, while 3.3-13.3% of youths are engaged in weeding. The study also revealed that some youths migrate to the urban areas because they committed one crime or the other and also they don t want to indulge themselves in harvesting, processing and others, the implication of this is that with more youths moving from rural areas to the urban areas, there would be more work for the respondents and this will lead to low productivity and labour shortage in the rural areas. To determine the factors which influence rural urban migration by youths within the study areas, the result showed that the level of the family income, the desire to improve or skill and lack of basic amenities were the main factors which influence rural-urban migration, the study also revealed that most of the respondents spent more than 8 hours on the farm following the migration of youths from the villages and those that were not originally assigned to them. About 50.5% or the respondents cultivated 1-2 plots with the lost of executing most farm activities burned by women/wives alone, the study also revealed that migration of youths from the villages resulted in reduction of labour supply, high cost of labour, in quantity of farm produce and high cost of farm operation in the area. VI. CONCLUSION It is an appreciated fact that rural-dwellers in Aniocha south local government area of Delta state are fully involved in agricultural production. The major occupation of the people is farming. The study area are also boast of oil palm plantation and they also have high forest domination and vegetation which favours the growing of crops like cassava, yam, oil palm, maize, melon, Okra and others. This will also enhance rural-urban living. it will help to increase the standard of living of the rural people as well as provision of raw materials for the industrial sustenance of the state and the nation in general. RECOMMENDATIONS 1. Government and non-governmental bodies should make effort to educate the masses on the detrimental effect of rural-urban migration. 2. The most realist strategy to combat rural-urban migration is to create millions of working places and jobs in the rural areas 3. Farmers should be encouraged in co-operative societies 4. There should be reduction in development gaps between rural and urban center i.e. there should be provision of social facilities in the rural areas. 5. Loans should be made available to the rural farmers and terms of agreement made in simply language to them, this will help them purchase more land for cultivation as well as labour use. 6. There is need for strong support for rural infrastructure is the fields of health, education provision of portable water and other facilities as incentives for social and economic development of rural areas as a bid to curtail rural-urban migration 7. Agro-allied industries should be provided ion the study area in order to provide job opportunity for the people and thereby reduce rural-urban migration 21 Page
8. Improved agricultural inputs and farming technology such as mechanizations should be introduced in the study area in other to improve production 9. Good roads should be constructed to ease the transportation of goods and services. 10. Adequate communication facilities should also be provided in the study area, 11. Good educational facilities should be provided in the study area. If all these recommendations are strictly adhere to, it will go a long way in reducing the rate of rural urban migration. REFERENCES [1]. Adepoju (2000) rural-urban socio economic link; the example of migration is modern migration in West Africa. Oxford University of press, London, p129. [2]. Barness (2002) Differentiation by sex among small scale farming households in Kenya Rural sociology, University of Maryland. [3]. Berry (2000) Human consequences of urbanization Macmillian press limited, London. [4]. Bull (2001) migration from Rural Areas, the evidence form village studies Oxford University press Delhi. [5]. Caldwell (1999) African rural-urban migration: The movement to Ghana Town. [6]. Culling growth (2001) problem of urban, society,, George Allen and Winwin Limited, London. [7]. Ebong (2001) policy implication of rural-urban migration in Calabar, Nigeria: The relative effects of housing Ph.D., thesis, Michigan state University. [8]. Green (2001) The Igbo village Affairs, with reference to the village Umueke Agbaja. Frankeas and co, limited. [9]. Harold (2003) Reading in social Psychology Today. CRM Books Del Mar California press. [10]. Johnson, (2004): causes of rural-urban migration by University of California press. [11]. Jibowo Gboyega (2000): Essentials of rural sociology. Abeokuta Gbemisodipo press. [12]. Kupere (2000) Migration from rural area or poor countries The impact on rural productivity and income distribution paper presented at the World Bank research workshop on rural-urban labour market. [13]. Kuper (2000) urbanization and migration in West Africa: University of California. [14]. Lipton (2003) migration from rural areas or poor countries The impact of rural productivity and income distribution Paper presented at the World Bank research workshop on rural-urban labour market interaction. Washington D.C. [15]. Nwovu (2000) The impact of migration on the quality of Nigeria rural life. Nigeria Agricultural research management and training institute seminar series 3-1. [16]. Nnamani (2000): internal migration and rural development in Nigeria Lesson from Bendel state Heinemann Educational book Ltd, Ibadan. [17]. Roserup (1999): The condition of Agricultural Growth, Aldine, Chikago. [18]. Sule (2006) Implication of migration to free town. Migration Housing and Occupation Civilization. [19]. White (2000) urban and social chase in West Africa by Cambridge University press New York. 22 Page